Cannabis – a powerful antioxidant and why it’s important for our health

The Biology and Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol

Research and Potential Medical Benefits”

Mr. Chairman, Ms. Chairwoman, and Members of the Senate Drug Caucus, thank you for inviting the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to participate in this hearing to share what we know about the biology and the potential therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main active chemical compounds found in marijuana. In light of the rapidly evolving interest in the potential use of marijuana and its derivative compounds for medical purposes, it is important to take stock of what we know and do not know about the therapeutic potential of CBD. Read The Story Here

CBD and Schizophrenia

“We found that CBD was able to restore recognition and working memory, as well as social behavior to normal levels. These findings are interesting because they suggest that CBD may be able to treat some of the symptoms of schizophrenia that are seemingly resistant to existing medications. In addition, CBD treatment did not alter body weight or food intake, which are common side effects of antipsychotic drug treatment.”

More NFL Players Turn To CBD

Marvin Washington says many of his NFL teammates used cannabis to unwind and ease the pain that inevitably comes from playing America’s most violent game — but it wasn’t for him.

“I hung out with the guys who liked to drink and chase women,” says Washington, a former defensive end who won a Super Bowl ring with the Denver Broncos in 1999.

Marvin Washington says many of his NFL teammates used cannabis to unwind and ease the pain that inevitably comes from playing America’s most violent game — but it wasn’t for him.

“I hung out with the guys who liked to drink and chase women,” says Washington, a former defensive end who won a Super Bowl ring with the Denver Broncos in 1999. “I knew guys who smoked. But it wasn’t my deal.”

These days, however, marijuana is very much Washington’s deal: He’s a crusader for the healing powers of cannabis. He’s a leader of a budding movement of former players who are calling on the league and its union to embrace cannabis as a solution to two problems that threaten the future of pro football: traumatic brain injuries and painkiller addiction.

Cannabis has been proven to be effective for managing pain, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has held a patent since 2003 that suggests some non-psychoactive cannabinoids may work as neuroprotectants that could be used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases. Washington and other former players — a group that includes Jake Plummer, Eugene Monroe, Leonard Marshall and Jim McMahon — have called on the NFL and its Players Association to fund research into cannabis’ potential as a treatment for long-term brain injuries linked to football, especially chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the disease linked to the suicides of football stars Junior Seau and Dave Duerson.

“One of my goals is to get cannabis accepted by the athletic community,” says Washington, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 1989 draft. “The NFL has a safety issue and it needs to look at this plant. The NFL needs to follow the science. I don’t want to kill football, I want to make it safer — with marijuana.”

Washington has used vaporized cannabidiol (CBD) in the past to ease the aches and pains that have followed him after 11 seasons in the NFL; these days he uses Isodiol’s CBD drops and CBD-infused water to battle muscle soreness and inflammation. He’s also become an unofficial resource for retired NFL players seeking help for chronic pain, depression and other long-term health problems.

Hope in Tennessee for a mother of 2 – Fox News Reports

Feb 10 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Andrea Houser is a mother of two boys, ages 14 and 10. She said all she wants to be is normal.

She’s been dealing with seizures from a rare form of Epilepsy since she was 19-years-old. She said she desperately hopes Tennessee’s latest medical marijuana passes, which legislators plan to introduce next week.

“I remember one time having a seizure and Gavin and Hayden standing over me, flipping out and crying,” Houser said. “And them full well knowing what was happening, but not being able to do nothing about it. It’s like you’re above your own body, you know. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve ever had one.”

State Senator Steven Dickerson is also a practicing physician, who specializes in pain management. He said he has patients that, like Houser, could benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana.

He said it also offers an alternative to pain killers like opioids.

“[It’s] very frustrating for me to know as a physician and as a legislator that I think there’s an alternative out there that could have better results and fewer side effects,” Dickerson said. “That’s one of the reasons that I’m sponsoring this bill.”

Houser said the only time in her adult life she hasn’t had seizures is the five years she used cannabis.

Wanting to stay on the right side of the law, Houser uses CBD oil, a type of hemp oil that doesn’t contain THC. THC is currently outlawed in Tennessee.

“It’s very heart breaking, you know,” Houser said. “Do I pick my life and me not seizing, or do I want to follow the law? It’s is a hard choice. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard spot, basically.”

Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction

Anxiety and sleep disorders are often the result of posttraumatic stress disorder and can contribute to an impaired ability to focus and to demonstration of oppositional behaviors.

Case Presentation

These symptoms were present in our patient, a ten-year-old girl who was sexually abused and had minimal parental supervision as a young child under the age of five. Pharmaceutical medications provided partial relief, but results were not long-lasting, and there were major side effects. A trial of cannabidiol oil resulted in a maintained decrease in anxiety and a steady improvement in the quality and quantity of the patient’s sleep.

Discussion

Cannabidiol oil, an increasingly popular treatment of anxiety and sleep issues, has been documented as being an effective alternative to pharmaceutical medications. This case study provides clinical data that support the use of cannabidiol oil as a safe treatment for reducing anxiety and improving sleep in a young girl with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Lesser Known Uses for CBD

Thanks to several years of global research, the medical benefits of cannabis has been proven. Marijuana is now considered a miracle drug and is used by millions of people all over the world to treat various conditions from chronic pain to anxiety. Cannabis and its compounds have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and it is now considered an effective form of treatment besides being a recreational drug that helps induce healthy relaxation.

The most abundant psychoactive compounds found in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD lacks the property to induce the “high” which is produced by THC. Despite this supposed drawback, research has shown that CBD has several medical benefits, many more than THC, making it a leading contender in the medical industry.

Recent research has determined that CBD is the major player in cannabis’ medical benefits. Apart from popular uses for this compound, here are some lesser-known medical uses for CBD.

Combating cigarette addiction

In a study conducted with 24 participants who are cigarette smokers, it was revealed that CBD can help curb their nicotine addiction. Participants who were given CBD showed a significant drop in nicotine intake. Cannabidiol has shown promising results in curbing withdrawal symptoms in people who have decided to quit smoking.

Managing diabetes

In a study involving non-obese mice, the results showed that CBD prevented the development of diabetes. The compound prevented the production of a cytokine called IL-12 that plays a large role in several autoimmune diseases including diabetes. Although this study was conducted on mice, it shows great promise for human beings. Diabetes is one of the most common conditions prevalent in today’s world, and a way to control this condition would indeed be a blessing.

Preventing acne

Who would have thought that cannabis could have cosmetic benefits as well?! Much to our joy, cannabidiol has proven to be an excellent treatment for acne. A study revealed that CBD can affect our sebaceous glands and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory agent. This helps inhibit the synthesis of lipids in our skin, preventing the breakout of acne. This discovery can help a lot of people who suffer from serious acne.

Preventing mad cow disease

Amongst all of its medical benefits, CBD has also shown to be rather effective in stopping prions. These are proteins which lead to neurogenerative diseases such as mad cow disease. The introduction of cannabidiol prevented the formation of prions, which eventually prevented the disease altogether.

Managing fibromyalgia

This is a condition that causes chronic musculoskeletal pain along with sleep issues, mood issues, and fatigue. Corticosteroids, opioid pain medicines, and anti-inflammatory medicines are the most common forms of treatment for this condition. A recent study reported that CBD could be a promising mode of treatment for fibromyalgia as opposed to traditional treatments. Individuals who used cannabis during the study reported great improvements in this pain and symptoms.

Controlling schizophrenia

Besides physical medical conditions, CBD has also been a winning drug in the treatment of psychological conditions such as schizophrenia. Although this condition already has an effective pharmaceutical medication called Amisulpride, an antipsychotic, the effects of CBD were stronger. This revelation was considered a major breakthrough in the study of fibromyalgia and its treatment.

Managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

CBD is known to have extremely calming properties. It produces anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects on an individual, making it one of the most effective modes of treatment for people with PTSD. Patients reported to have felt great relief after using cannabidiol thanks to its antipsychotic properties. This makes CBD one of the most efficient forms of treatment for people who often experience major episodes of stress and anxiety.

Multiple sclerosis

There were some studies conducted on animal models which showed that CBD caused a reversal in inflammatory responses. This meant that it was extremely effective in treating conditions like multiple sclerosis. Mice that were subjected to CBD treatment showed better motor skills and good progress unlike the mice that were given traditional treatments. This information was crucial in determining that CBD therapy can be used as an effective mode of treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease and other bowel diseases are sadly some of the most common conditions that affect our population. Some scientists believe that CBD and THC can help control the bowel function, an issue that people with Crohn’s disease suffer with. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD has helped bring relief to thousands of people with this condition as well as other bowel diseases.

Combating insomnia

This condition is one of the secondary effects of psychological conditions like anxiety or depression. Millions of people struggle with insomnia every day. Fortunately, CBD therapy is a great way to combat insomnia because relaxation and tiredness are some of its effects. And unlike pharmaceutical drugs, cannabis is not addictive and cannot be abused. It also doesn’t cause that groggy feeling after you wake up.

Besides these uses, CBD therapy has other benefits too. CBD is also useful for your pets. It helps calm them down when they are feeling anxious, prevent nausea, and many other common complaints. It also produces almost no side effects, making it a very effective form of treatment. Another use for CBD is that it’s a great way to treat rashes thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes your skin and reduces irritation and inflammation, so your rash will be gone in no time.

Another cosmetic benefit of CBD is that it works as a wonderful anti-aging product. Unknown to many people, cannabis is rich in antioxidants. They reduce skin damage caused by free radicals and prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles.

Thanks to continuous research, we identify more and more benefits of cannabidiol therapy. We have already learned of several medical applications for CBD, and it seems that there is so much left for us to discover. Its uses and benefits have already been celebrated all over the world. It’s only a matter of time before we unlock other uses for this wonder drug.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Could CBD oil become the new go-to ADHD treatment?

Written By Emily Gray Brosious Posted: 10/06/2015, 10:57am

Marijuana users are not necessarily thought of as the most focused individuals in society. However, many medical marijuana patients and recreational users with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) swear by cannabis’ ability to promote focus in place of, or in addition to, prescription stimulants.

Understanding ADD/ADHD

One central physiological irregularity in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or ADHD patients is a shortage of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter involved in cognitive processes like memory and attention, according to Medscape.

“The most accepted theory about ADHD rests on the fact that about 70 percent of the brain’s function is to regulate input to the other 30 percent,” according to researcher Dr. David Bearman. “Basically the brain is overwhelmed with too much information coming too fast. In ADHD, the brain is cluttered with and too aware of all the nuances of a person’s daily experience.”

Stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin stimulate dopamine promotes concentration and restores the imbalance to ADD/ADHD patients’ brains. However, stimulant medications come with a number of side effects that some patients find too disruptive and unpleasant.

Dr. Bearman, a “figurehead of cannabis research,” has studied the connection between the cannabinoid system and ADHD. His research led to the discovery of the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoids, which also interact with the brain’s dopamine management systems, as reported by Leafly.

“Cannabis appears to treat ADD and ADHD by increasing the availability of dopamine,” Dr. Bearman wrote. “This then has the same effect but is a different mechanism of action than stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and dexedrine amphetamine, which act by binding to the dopamine and interfering with the metabolic breakdown of dopamine.”

Put simply, the compounds found in cannabis, called cannabinoids, could potentially correct the dopamine deficiency observed in ADD/ADHD patients if dosed appropriately and administered safely. Even in its raw form, cannabis is able to provide the mental slowdown necessary for concentration in many patients. Boring and arduous tasks become more manageable, and mood swings tend to level out.

Most researchers agree more studies need to be done on the topic, but they’re optimistic about the potentials of cannabinoid therapy for ADD/ADHD going forward.

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